Almost everyday technology is evolving and adapting to meet the needs of humans. So, it comes to no surprise that there are now a wide variety of pet tech products out there that are designed to make life easier for pet owners.
Whether it’s a GPS collar, a treat-dispensing toy or a home camera, pet tech makes us feel like we’ve got everything under control while taking care of our dog. However, does your dog really like these savvy inventions? Here’s out honest review of the latest and greatest pet gadgets.
Interactive Toys
If you’re away from home or too busy with work to play with your dog, WickedBone’s Smart Bone is the perfect toy. It’s programmed to attract your dog’s attention and acts responsively to different types of touch in a playful manner. You can also control the toy and create new action combos through their mobile app. Although it’s durable and safe, it may not be the best for aggressive chewers because hard bites can cause damage.
If your dog is obsessed with balls, then the Babble Ball is the perfect interactive toy to keep them entertained. Babble Balls are motion activated and they start talking or making animal sounds when touched. Your dog will think this ball is alive as it calls to him/her as they chase it around the home or yard. With over 20 different words and phrases, the ball keeps playtime interesting and unique. It’s definitely recommended for dogs with poor eyesight, chronic boredom or separation anxiety.
Other recommendations: GoBone, Cheerble Wicked Ball, iFetch Interactive Ball Launchers
GPS Trackers
Keep your dog safe and fit at once with the Fi Smart Dog Collar. The collar works with a smartphone app and has a GPS locator, activity monitor, and many more features, including health advice, community competitions, training content, social sharing and more. Not only is the pet tech collar super streamlined in design compared to its competitors, but it is also chew-proof, water-proof (even the ocean), and generally dog-proof.
If you don’t want to buy a new collar but still wish you were able to track your dog while you’re away, Whistle offers a location tracker that easily attaches to your dog’s collar. This lightweight wireless device allows you to program a “home zone” on its app and it will alert you whenever your dog escapes out of the area. Not only are you able to pinpoint your dog’s location, but Whistle also monitors your pet’s daily activities and lets you know how your pet measures up for their age, weight and breed.
Other recommendations: Link AKC Smart Dog Collar, Tagg GPS Pet Tracker
Food and Water
One of the best ways to keep dogs healthy is to feed them the right amount of food. If they don’t get enough, your dog can suffer from nutritional deficiencies. But, too much and they can become overweight and become prone to health problems. Westlink’s Automatic Pet Feeder allows you to automatically feed your dog the same amount of food each day based on their weight, age and breed. Just set the number of meals each day, the portion size and feeding time and it will do the rest. The feeder also has a speaker and recorder that lets your dog know it’s time to eat with your voice. 
Does your dog always refuse to drink water, even when you know they’re thirsty? If that’s the case, flowing water is more appealing and can be used to get them to drink more water. Veken Pet Water Fountain has a circulation system that helps provide healthy and hygienic water for your beloved pets! Not only does it filter your dog’s water, but it will help them stay hydrated all day long. We recommend this fountain for small or medium size dogs who are not messy drinkers. If you have a large breed that is sloppy, we recommend LumoLeaf’s No-Spill Pet Water Bowl.
Other recommendations: PetSafe Gravity Pet Food and Water Dispenser, IQZoo Intelligent Dog Feeder
Cameras
Keep an eye on your dog and toss them treats with Furbo’s Dog Camera. Furbo will alert you when it detects movement such as your dog jumping on furniture or someone entering your home. Also, you can fill it with over 100 pieces of your dogs’ favorite treats & play a game of catch. It is recommended to use smaller treats such as Zuke’s Mini, True Acre Mini-Rewards or Nutro Mini Bites
If your dog won’t find amusement in a treat dispenser, there are a lot of simpler cameras available. PetCube’s monitoring camera supports many functions such as HD live streaming, night vision, two-way audio and motion detection. Most importantly, it has a built-in vet live chat that allows you to consult a professional vet 24/7 if you notice any suspicious pet behavior.
Other recommendations: Conico Security Camera, Tenvis Pet Camera
Cleaning
There’s no denying that taking care of a dog is messy business. Luckily, there are a lot of pet tech products that help keep your home and dog squeaky clean. The Bissell Dog Bathing Machine is a portable grooming unit that allows you to bathe your dog in any room of your house with little mess. The machine features a 13-foot hose, a specially designed nozzle that goes underneath fur, shampoo and microfiber drying mat. However, the noise emitted is similar to a vacuum, so it is not recommended for dogs who have a fear of the sound of a vacuum.
If your dog is notorious for bringing in mud and dirt tracks into the home, we recommend the Dexas Mudbuster Paw Washer. The gentle silicone bristles help remove dirt and mud from your dog’s paws- keeping the mess in the MudBuster. Keep the portable washer handy after trips to the park, after walks or hikes, or by your back door.
Other recommendations: Delmo Pet Hair Remover Roller, Vansky Black UV Flashlight
Training
A plus side to technology is that we have access to a lot more than we would have in the past and can learn almost anything on Youtube, WikiHow and other applications. Although we don’t recommend using apps as an alternative to professional training, the Dogo app is a great supplement to training when you’re at home. With over 100 different tricks and a built-in clicker, Dogo is a great way to keep your dog mentally engaged and reinforce what they’ve already learned in their professional training program.
Clicker training is a positive reinforcement technique where you use a clicker to mark your dog’s good behaviors. The value in using a clicker is that you can be very precise with which good behaviors you are marking and rewarding. COA offers a multi-clicker that has a volume control that allows you to train even the more sensitive dogs.
Other recommendations: Mighty Paw Smart Bell, PetSafe Clik-R
No matter what your need may be, there is most likely a pet tech product to help you and your dog out. Have you tried one of these products? Let us know your thoughts in the comments of this post.
